Living, learning and lifing

usability_

April 29, 2008

Why am I constantly surprised when the simplest usability issues are ignored in the development of everything from intranets to e-learning materials.

The other day I bought a packet of smoked salmon.....

To my great surprise and frustration the pink triangle had NOTHING to do with the opening.....

When I looked more closely - the pink triangle was crucial - just not in the way I had expected.

Why would you do this!!! Surely, the logical thing is to put the pink corner at the point you want people to pull...? Then again, why am I surprised? The same complexity is evident in interfaces on websites from the large corporates to the smallest businesses.

Why is it frustrating? Because it's so unnecessary. A brief period of reflection, a simple user test would expose the stupidity of this packaging and the websites that send us grey as we pursue simple information.

So, on this note I applaud usability experts - and may they go forth and multiply.